Egypt warms to Russia as US ties cool

Russia’s defence and foreign ministers have ended a highly anticipated two-day visit to Cairo, with officials from both countries promising deeper ties but offering few specifics and making no mention of a much-rumoured multibillion-dollar arms deal.

The visit comes as many in Egypt begin to see Russia as a more reliable ally than the US, which has become increasingly unpopular because of its perceived support for the Muslim Brotherhood and its mild criticism of the military’s removal of President Mohamed Morsi in July.

Posters of Russian President Vladimir Putin have become a common sight around the country, with the state-run Al-Ahram newspaper even publishing photographs on Thursday of a “Thanks, Putin” poster hung by residents of Luxor.